Method and apparatus for assembling body seat rings



O. E. FIEROH Feb. 23, 1960 METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR ASSEMBLING BODY SEAT RINGS Filed Jan. 26, 1956 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 D 0 J Q wHmlxMmvNu mm MWIWWSMN f,. f www WN TJJTJ (J ?x4 DM. NN\ NWN/MT1 IL N w|b L Tf iI 1. ma ll l mm. IIILLWHI A l N .NW f| l|\l|fl|mll|xilllhrlluulm\\ il lI r mm |Vh||\l|||1,w-m 1 QQN :.w .In 1 0. NW QQ, 'Illu .W5 Nmwh. MG. QQ Uw NMMU. Nmmm NIQN /Q M. y /W DN NN Nk Feb. 23, 1960 0, E, FlERoH 2,925,651

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR ASSEMBLING BODY SEAT RINGS Filed Jan. 26, 1956 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 United States Fatent `METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR ASSEMBLING BODY SEAT RINGS Otto E. Feroh, Chicago, lll., assignor to Crane'Co., Chicago lll., a corporation of Illinois Application January 26, 1956, Serial No. 561,459

Claims. (Cl. 29--240) This invention relates to a method and apparatus for assembling body seat rings with a valve body, and which apparatus is also termed a two-way torque machine.

Y More particularly, the invention is concerned with the method and apparatus for assembling and positioning 0ppositely disposed threaded body seat rings simultaneously and preferably using iiuid pressure cooperating with predeterminately arranged pistons and cylinders so that a certain amount of power or torque can be exerted with such driving force from the application of such power being suitably distributed or balanced.

In order to acquire a better understanding and appreciation of the background of this invention, it should be realized that in the valve manufacturing industry, for example, in assembling threaded body seat rings after suitable rotation into valve bodies or the like there has long existed the serions problem of determining and applying relatively uniformly the amount of force required in making such leak-proof assembly. There has further existed the need for performing such shop production operation relatively quickly, accurately and economically lwhile sti-ll maintaining close control over the torque or driving force applied to thesaid seat rings during the course of rotating and completing of such assembly of the rings with the valve body.

t can well be realized that if the force which is applied to the valve rings in the course of seating them is of such degree as to be regarded-as excessive, then objectionable stresses or strains can be imparted to the valve seat ring resulting either in distortion and poor seating or` in some cases, actually results in the failure of the ring, including loosening Vto a degree and resulting in a defective valve or other serious trouble.

it is therefore one of the more important objects of this` invention to provide a plural valve ring assembly apparatus overcoming such objections as hereinabove referred to and accurately applying the seat rings to the valve casing securely, quickly and cheaply even in the course of comparatively large production runs.

Another object is to provide for a machine of the character described in which there is the general application, say, of driving in two body rings into a gate valve body simultaneously, using fluid pressure and exerted within at least a pair of cylinders with cooperating pistons suitably positioned with relation to said valve body, and further in which a rack and pinion or other gear is so arranged that the pistons within the cylinders will operate in opposite directions while exerting an endwise force against the rack thereby to screw the body seat rings into place within the valve body with a predetermined force. Another important object is to provide a method and apparatus in which such application of the driving force employed in seating thebody rings is so distributed and arranged relative to each cylinder and piston so that greater power can be exerted while at the same time the driving force applied to the racks in seating the rings is uniformly distributed and balanced relative to each other.

agissait Patented Feb. 23, 1960 apparent upon proceeding with the specification read in light of the accompanying drawings, in which Fig. 1 is a sectional assembly view of apparatus embodying my invention.

Fig. 2 is fragmentary enlarged sectional View of the manner in which the invention is applied to the valve seat rings, either during assembly or removal.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged sectional view taken on the line 3-3 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a plan view of the wrench head employed.

Similar reference numerals refer to similar parts throughout the several views.

Referring now to Fig. 1, a gate valve body generally designated 1 is shown in inverted position, having the bonnet flange 2 mounted upon the machine stand 3 supported upon the ilat surface 4 of the said machine stand. The stand 3 is anked on each side portion by the supports A and B for carrying the driving mechanism as hereinafter described. The valve body 1 is held in fixed position as indicated at 5 and 6 by means of the swingable over-arm clamp 7 in cooperation with an applied power source (not shown) directed to the members 5 and 6 snugly engaging the end llanges 8 of the valve casing or body 1. It should be understood that preferably the clamp 7 has an upper overhanging portion 9 against which the holding force is directed downwardly to prevent the valve body from rotating or sliding upon the stand surface 4 and against which the valve bonnet llange 2 abuts as illustrated. Of course, other means of clamping or gripping the valve body and holding it against rotation or sliding during either the removal or installation of the valve seat rings may be used, depending upon the size or the shape of the valve casing.

' As shown more clearly in Fig. 2, the valve body 1 upon which the instant invention is to be employed, is provided with the threaded seat rings 11 and 12 substantially oppositely disposed, which in this case are indicated in the seated position of the body and rings assembly. It will be noted that the said seat rings are shouldered at the respective annular surfaces 13 and 14 within the valve body when the seating operation which is hereinafter to be described has been completed. Preliminary to the said seating operation taking place, it should be understood that spaced-apart wrench heads generally designated 15 and 16 respectively and which are of the general notched configuration shown in plan in Fig. 4 are provided with the annularly arranged lugs 17 engaging similarly shaped channels or grooves designated 18 and 20 of substantially the same cross-sectional conguration on the inside periphery or ported portion of the body seat rings 11 and 12 respectively. It will of course be understood that the wrench heads 15 and 16 which arev preferably power driven are positioned on the respective rings 11 and 12 and placed in the valve casing 1 before the latter member is clamped lin the fixture to bear against the surface of the machine stand 4 as shown.

Similarly with respect to the timing of its positioning in the valve body, a spacer member generally designated 19 is interposed between the Wrench heads as shown. It consists of a substantially cylindrical member 21 having tapered end surfaces as at 22 and 23, the angle of the latter tapered surfaces conforming generally with the angularity of the taper of the valve seat rings as they are finally positioned in the valve body as illustrated. The

Other objects and advantages will become more readily member 21 beinghollow as at 24 receives the coil spring 25 and the resiliently mountedball bearings at 26 and 27 respectively positioned at each end of said spring and being held in piace thereon by means of the interposed l rings 28 and 29, each of the said latter rings being soldered in fixed position relative to the head 21 and peened as at 31 and'32 so as Vto retain the ball bearings 26A and 27 resiliently againstthe coil spring 25.

arancel lt will be understood that the handle 30 which is preferably of looped form and integral with the spreader portion 21 is used to effect the installation and removal of the cylindrical spreader 19, as desired. It will further be clear that upon removing the machine stand 4, grasping the handle 30, and then drawing said handle transversely out of the body 1 through the bodyV chamber and the bonnet opening defined by the flange 2, the spring-loaded Wedge portion 19 can now b e removed from between the wrench heads and the body seat rings. Upon withdrawal ofthe spacer member 19 with its looped handle 30, the wrench heads and 16 can next be moved axially inward and out of engagementl with the respective seat ring grooves 18 and 2 0 on the inner. periphery or ported portions of said body seatV rings 1,1l and 12. When, and if it becomes necessary to remove the said seat rings the latter members can be taken out laterally through the body chamber as described connection with the member 19 and its handle 3.0. Y

It should further be understood that before the member 21 is interposed between the wrench heads the body seat rings 11 and 12 are threadedly assembled preferably by hand rotation and thus comparatively loosely received Within their respective recesses inthe valve body in almost seated position or just short of making the final end contact at surfaces 13 and 14. respectively. Such initial asfv sembling ofthe rings 11 and 12, provides for the desired space between the `wrench heads to permit fitting the. spacer 19 therebetween. Then it follows that as hereinafter explained in greater detail the power application of a driving force is used to. draw. the seat-rings. to the iinal abutting contact against theend snrfaces13 and` i4 of the casing under predetermined torque load.

The Wlnch headslSfand 16 as shown .arey provided with the respective plate members 33 and 34 mounted-in,-

iiat abutting relation thereon, each o tgwhichplatesrisregf cessed or dimpled at to receive in nested re d tionv the ball bearings 2.6` and. 27, and thus axially align the spreader 2 1 with relation to therwrench heads 15 and 1 6. The plates 33V and 34 are attached to the wrench heads, by means of'screws as shown in dotted lines at 35 and 36respectively.

Referring to Fig. 2, for the purpose of etfecting the desired rotatio'nto the wrench heads` the drive shafts 37 andl 38 respectively arevprovided, mounted in non-rotatable relationv to the said wrench heads. It will be understood that thesaid shafts areprreferably splined onptheir entering as at ligand 41j and assembled scil as to engage similar splined recesses 42and43 within the wrench heads. Thus far,` they description ofthe driving assembly has been di` rectedpto the manner `and structure inY which the ballrotainedY power drivenwrench heads are mounted4 with relation to the. body seatringsV 171, and i2. Itwill of course. be appreciated that the description is variable with. re`` spect to the manner in whichy the wrench heads gripthe seat ringsv for purpose of electing'theprotation of the:`

latter members inthe course ofeither tightening them in` position or subseqpently loosening them as desired,

An important aspect of this invention lies in thenovel manner in which` the power may be applied and distributed in relation to shafts 37 and 38 in the course or" rotating the respective wrench heads '15 and 16 simultaneously.

This portion of the driving mechanism develormientV is more clearly shown in fig l. As a part of the arbor mountings 42 and l43, hollow Vcylinder andpiston supports 44 and-4.5 are provided andas indieaytedin dot-ted lines are provided with the respective chambers v46 47Std receive and perrrlit. the desiredjendwise movement of the A.

oppositelydisposed gear racks 48 and 49 at Opposite p or. tions of the machine inl a lower plane and` 5i and S2 mounted at opposite end` portionsV forV movement in an upper plane. The racksi are provided with the gear teeth V50 (see Fig. 3) and operate within a` chamber 53. As

shown more clearly inFig. 3 they are respectively mounted Within the Chambord@ and chamber- 5??.QtI1-.thearheal7 p the usuali cor'iduits for actuating communication with.- source's of uid s upplyasat 82, 83, 84 and 85 in.. thev mountings 42 and 43. It should be noted that each of the said supports 44 and 45 carries on its upper portion on each side of the horizontal axis of the machine a cy1inder 54 and in `a lower plane on the opposite side of the horizontal axis is a cylinder 55. In similarly described relation with respect to the arbor 43 the drive cylinders 56 and 57 are provided.

As shown more clearly at the left-hand portion ofthe figure, the yarbor 42 (and 43 also) is hollow in order to receive and journal the respective 4rotating drive shafts 58 and 59. The latter are also axially movable as hereinafter explained and are connected as at couplings 61 and 62 to the drive shafts 37 and 38 respectively, the couplings being locked against relative rotation by engagement of the splines 63 on the drive shaft 58 and the splined portion 64 of the shaft 59. The coupling connection referred to is further held against acci-dental disassembly axiallyu by means of the respective pins 65. and 66.

For the purpose of guiding the shafts 37 and 38 in their respectivev rotation, preferably a replaceable bearing mem b er 61 and68 is mounted on the transverse projections 69 andl 711 ofVA each arbor 42 and d3 respectively. It will be :appreciated that the, pitch or angle of the said projections. with relation to the horizontal axis of the assembly is deterrriinedV by the taper of the valve seats within the gatei valve casing 1. This is perhaps more, clearly shown in the enlargement in Fig. 2. i

Now directing attention to Fig. 3, it will of course be. appreciatedv thatA the respective cylinders 54 to lS7 inclusiye areprovided with the usualreciprocally movable pisa tons designated in dotted lines` 72` and 73 in theleft side,`

arrangement of( cylinders 54;' and 55and; pistons 74 and:

iSin theupper` and; lowercylindersy 56.andzr 57 respectively-- in therightrhand; portionof their-apparatus; It must be noted driving. connections` are. provided` between the respegtive seat; racks.. andY tttegfsai 1;y pistons.-

hus. tharak 5,1. at its upper. @ad portion isY connected by: means.' @filles-haft; 76.- to thesis-Qn 72. while. ambelower end porti-on, of the oppositely disposedracl; 48 ther latterY member is1 similarly attached as at 77 tothe piston 73. Itwill also be noted that atV-therigbt-hand portionV `63 of the shaft S8 as'more clearly-` shown in Fig., 3,. Y Irtwillofcourse beunderstoodthat the respective cylindersjet seq. referred to hereinabove areprofvidedwith leitQhand sideof .themechanism and: at `86, 87, 88 and S9 in Ithe right-hand'end portion of thermachine.

Inoperation of this mechanism, it should nowbe. clear thatpasftheid pressure is introduced simultaneously at,

inlets l82, and -and at inlets 85 andSS?, the pistons. affected aremoved by such pressure within their respective cylinderstoaxially drive each of the, gear racksrSrl, andv sani redirection and 'thervaelrsaa and 49 in.V theorie;

direction, Y thereby rotateA ,the .gears Slgfrom opposvitely dis?kv posed., sides, of l.the gear.y to balance Ythe force applied l andy arouinggoaeeiqnabl distortion- Vin cada@ marianna. ot the structure, causing the rotation o f theshaft'srSS and 59in'turn,norirotatably attachedtotheshafts37 and 38. andthe,wrenchheadsIS andl. c

'It'. hasbeen found.I that'` dependingp-fupon `the initial amount of V-aiiial movement obtainedr in making the hand.

tightened initial attachment. of the seat rings, the. inagl tightening lofthe `ring may. actually occurwithina veryv limited rangevofv rotation between say 90 and. notte enoee'd 180 It; gbsoirSebaclear tbat hy...vi.1:tne Qtffhasntslhandfsi'de-.ofthesureadriving-geargeasrallydcsse ne dA 8.1; is fttdbstwea the-.respective searrakwand. shown, the. gear being attached tov thesplined-hpor pair.

taneous movement ,of the respective rc'ksiri Aopposite directions las above'described, the forcexapplied bythe pistons as a driving 'means Vto effect the rotation `of the seat rings can be relatively large without objectionably turning or distorting the casing or the seat rings as they are finally shouldered at the bottoming surfaces 13 and 14 within the said casing. It will be equally clear that the' load applied by the respective pistons is balanced and uniformly well distributed'v throughout the machine structure thereby to avoid the concentration of stresses normally inherent in this type of drive mechanism. Thus it should be apparent tha-t depending upon the size of the valve into which the seat rings are to be fitted the fluid pressure load in pounds per square inch in the cylinders,

as hereinafter referred to, can be varied accordingly and uniformly applied to the body seat rings whether on the inlet or the outlet side of the valve, and, because of suchv desirable distribution of the load or driving force, stability in positioning ofthe valve` casing is assured. -It

should be understood that while throughout this descriptons the mechanism can be conveniently used to unseat the Y rings to, permit of their removal for replacement or re- For purpose of withdrawalof `the respective drive shafts 37 and 38 from their sliding splined connection with the wrench heads 115 and 16! and at the conclusion of the operation in seating the body rings, a hydraulic mechanism is employed. As shown more clearly in Fig.V

1,'this shaft withdrawal mechanism mounted at each `end A of the arbor mountings 42 and 43, consists of uid cylinders 91 fitted with the pistons 92 and having the usual iiuid conduit supply sources asv indicated at 93 and `94 above and below the piston respectively for purposeof driving the latter member in either direction during the course of either seating the rings, that is, when threadedly mounting them within the valve casing, or else when in removing the seat rings it becomes necessary to make replacement. The piston 92 has its shaft portion 95 connected to the cross-arm member 96 which is rigidly attached to the shaft 58, as at 97, by means of the threaded nut 98. A similar fixed connection is effected with the piston shaft 95 by means of the lock nuts 99 and 101. I-t has been found desirable in avoiding objectionable wear or making convenient replacements to interpose a renewable bearing 102 in the arbor mountings.

In considering the operation of this phase of the machine, it will be apparent that merely upon supplying the fluid to the ends 93 of the cylinder 91, the shafts 58 and 59 may be suitably retracted to draw with them their respective shaft extensions 37 and ,38, thus disengaging the shafts from the respective wrench head splined connections at 42 and 43 as lat 39.

it should be apparent now that an important advantage of this invention lies in its reduction of or minimizing the importance of the human element in tightening or removing the valve seats 11 and 12. There is the additional benetit that the machine itself because of the unique form is not subjected to the strains normally present in seat ring driving mechanism of prior types.

'It should also be apparent that while only a single ernbodiment has been illustrated and described in connection with this invention, the machine embodying its principles may be substantially changed to incorporate a wide variety of mechanisms without departing from the spirit of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

I claim:

l. A machine for assembling a plurality of oppositely disposed seat rings predeterminately rotatable for mounting within a valve body or the like with a horizontal axis and a vertical axis and having a bonnet opening on the vertical axis thereof and with a uid passage extending through the said seat rings on the horizontal axis of the body, the machine comprisingdriving inens for applyi ing predetermined rotative movement to the seat rings simultaneously in seating or .unseating the latter members within the valve body, the said driving means including huid-actuated means positioned in different 'planes`on opposite sides of and normal to. the said vertical axis of the valve body, the said vertical axis of the body being an extension of the bonnet opening, shafts cooperating with the said uid' actuated means to impart rotative movement to the seat rings, cooperating racks and gears movable in opposite directions in response to said uidj 2. A machine for assembling a plurality of oppositely' disposed seat rings within a valve body or the like with a horizontal axis and a vertical axis and having a bonnet opening on the vertical axis thereof and with a iuidv passage extending through the said seat rings on the vhorizontal axis of 'the' body, the machine comprising driving means jfor applying substantially tangentially a rotative 'movement to the Said seat rings simultane ously in seating or unseating the'llatter members within'Y the valve body, the said drivingfrneans including a pair of Huid-actuated cylinders and pistons positioned in diiferent planes en opposite ksides of and normal to" thesaid vertical axis of' theA `valve body, the saidf `vertical'axis Yofthe body being4 an `extension Vof the bonnet' opening Ywhereby a plane'intersectingf'the bonnet opening axis and thefluid passage axis bisects the distance between said different planes, oppositely disposed shafts cooperating with the said cylinders and pistons to effect rotative movement of the seat rings, a plurality of oppositely disposed reciprocally movable racks and gears movable with said pistons in opposite directions upon predetermined movement of the pistons engaging said shafts, said movement of the gears on the racks being substantially on the vertical axis of the body, and means for holding the said seat rings in predetermined spaced-apart position relative to the valve body while imparting said rotative force tangentially to the said rings applied in a plane substantially on the said horizontal axis of the body.

3. Means for assembling a plurality of oppositely disposed rotatably mounted seat rings within a valve body or the like having a horizontal axis and a vertical axis and with a bonnet opening on' the vertical axis thereof and with a fluid passage extending through the said seat rings on substantially the horizontal axis of the body, the combination of driving means including a pair of oppositely disposed shafts for applying a rotativemov'ement of the seat rings simultaneously in seating or unseating the latter members within the valve body, resiliently biased means in the body for holding the said rings in spaced-apart relation while permitting rotation of the said rings, the said driving means including a pair of fluid-actuated cylinders with pistons positioned in different planes and moving in opposite directions on opposite sides of and normal to the vertical axis of the valve body, the vertical axis of the body being an extension of the bonnet opening whereby a plane intersecting the bonnet opening axis and the uid passage axis bisects the distance between said different planes, means cooperating with the said cylinders and pistons to effect said rotative movement of the seat rings including substantially parallel racks and gears movable with said pistons in opposite directions in substantially vertical planes outside of the body upon predetermined movement of the pistons engaging said shafts,

the vertical axis of the body substantially bisecting the 7' Sidl ma holdingk the. seat rings in spaced-apart@ Iitibn.. 4 t f 4; A two-way torque'. machinefor ,assembling aplurality ofoppositel'y disposed predeterminately rotatableA seatrijgsvvithin; aval've body or the like simultaneously, the' 5 vaille, body having a horizontal axis andV a, verticlaxis with a, bonnet` openingen the vertical axis thereof'and' a flu-id passage, extending through the said seatrings on substantially the horizontal of the body, the machine having'. u'id driving,I means for applying ay predt'efrnine'd rotative movement andv trqueto' the seat simultaneously in positioning, the `latter) members; in.'

fixed axial reiatibn to, the valve bony, the Said vertical' axisv of the, boclybeingf` an extension of the bonnet ,open-V ing in.the;body,A 'die sadvliuid'driving-rneans includingl a pluralivv Enid-actuated means positioned on opposite Sdf and. normal tort-he sadtvertieal'- axi'slofthe valve body, gripping means including wrench heads for the said rings, shaft means cooperatingy withl the said fluid actuated'. means' andv the. gripping to effect said, rotative; movement oftheseat rings, gear` and rackmeansi engageble lwith median portions of said' shaftineans movable transversely relative thereto with saidV lliiii actuated means inopposite directions upon prede 'ermined' movement ofthe uid actuated means relative tothe s shaft means to rotate the latter means simultan-le'busi: n; thefsame'di-rectionon :substantially the horiiontal a'Xis of the body,- Athe said gear and' rack. means being removed relative.. toendportinslof thebody.

5v. A` machine fon applyingvv al plurality of trairllf'iA in' 30V assembling oppositely disposed predeterminately rotatable- Y seat rings., vvithinta valvey body onthelilne.the said body'= havingaahoriaontal axisvanda verticalaxis with a bonnet4 opening onthe latter axis, thebodyhavingY a Huid passager. eii'tending; through the. seatY rings on substantially the ena-5,651

horizontal axis thereof,` th v combination of Huid 'driving Y means for applying a rotative movement tothe seatrings Y simultaneously in seatingor vur 1seatingthe latter members iny different planes on opposite sides ofV and normal to theV vertical axisl of the valve body, the vertical axis ofA the',

body being an extension of the bonnet opeinngy whereby a plane intersecting the bonnetl opening axis and the fluid passage axis bisects the distance between said different planes, shaft means cooperating with the said cylinders andA pistons to. effect said rotative movement of the seat rings,r racks. and gears movable with said pistons in opposite directions upon predetermined movement of the' uid actuated. pistons engaging said shaft means in substantially vertical planes beyond the body; removable spacer n^le :a;i1sforVv maintaining the said seatrings in pref determined axial position relative to the valve body while imparting said rotative force to the saidY rings on substaib tially the horizontal axis of the body, the latter rings being rotatable while-frictionallybearing against respective end portions,` of the-said removable spacer means,A and fluid j actuatedr meansffor axially Ywithdrawing the said shaft 

